Splendid Shadows (Book 2) The Beautiful Darkness Series

Epilogue-Jade

Hello, Lovelies, 

I adore you all so much!  Thank you again!  I will be writing a author's note later that will answer question about the spin-off for this series.  Thank you again!  <3 

I hope you enjoy this conclusion. 

-XXXX Amanda 

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One year later

North Carolina was beautiful as always as Macon drove toward the reservation. I was excited to see my grandfather and Lara. Macon reached over and grabbed my hand, kissing the wedding band on my ring finger as he had every day since he had put it on my hand.

"Say Uncle Urban." Urban chuckled when Noah narrowed eyes in much the same way as his father did when Urban annoyed him.

"He won't say Urban," Abel chuckled. "He like me better."

Noah's eyes sparked with mischief. "Gaige."

Gaige laughed, then shrugged when they both narrowed their eyes at him. "He has good taste."

Ari shook his head. "I didn't even try. Gaige has been working on him for the last two weeks...He bribed the kid with jelly beans."

I raised my brows. "So, that's how you get him to do anything you want."

Gaige shrugged. "I learned it from his father."

My mouth dropped open as we pulled into my grandfather's driveway. "Macon, you can't bribe our son with candy."

Macon chuckled and I knew he wasn't going to listen as he turned off the van and kissed my cheek. I blew out a breath, knowing I was outnumbered as my grandfather walked out to meet us.

As I got out of the van, he hugged me, his weathered face bright with joy. "It's good to see you, Jade."

A little boy ran down the steps of the porch and wrapped his arms around me. "Jade!"

"Hello, Trevor." I hugged him tightly as Lara joined him.

Grandpa's eyes shined. "Do you want to settle in before we-"

"No." I shook my head, glancing at the others as they got out of the van. Gaige brought Noah to my grandfather, who took his hand. "I want to go now."

Grandpa nodded and then, beckoned us to follow him. We walked down the trail to a small family cemetery, surrounded by a patch of woods. Four simple headstones rested there. The first was my grandmother's. The next two were my parents and the last was Jo's.

My eyes misted as I moved close to it, happy that they had found a way to bring her home to our family.

"Jo," I whispered as a breeze moved around me, ruffling my hair. "thank you for everything you did for me and Macon. Thank you for loving us and for making sure we were okay even if you sacrificed yourself. Thank you for being strong and thank you for the promise. I know I may have resented it at times but it brought Macon and I together. It gave me a family." I touched the cool surface of the tombstone as a tear dropped down my cheek. "You're where you are supposed to be now. You can rest. Your job is done. I love you."

A gust of wind wrapped around me, drying the tears on my cheeks as if Jo was taking away my tears one final time. I closed my eyes and took a breath, knowing that she was at peace. I glanced back at Macon who nodded as a smile lit his face.

"Good-bye, Jo. We love you." He said as he pulled me into his arms, giving me the safety and love that seemed destined from the moment he met me.